The Saint – Wanted for Murder, The Further Adventures of The Saint by Leslie Charteris, Triangle Books 1943 hardcover, mystery stories
This collection of six mystery novellas, features The Saint in various circumstances, often facing Chief Inspector Teal, of Scotland Yard.
Wanted for Murder was first published in the United States in August 1931, part of an ongoing series of novels and novellas by Charteris featuring the adventures of his Robin Hood-inspired crimefighter, Simon Templar, alias The Saint.
The book holds an unusual place in the Charteris canon as it featured the first American publication of the stories contained in Featuring the Saint and Alias the Saint, thin books which were published in the UK in 1931 by Hodder and Stoughton. In most cases, The Crime Club, an imprint of Doubleday, simply published American editions of the Saint books (occasionally retitled), but this was the first — and only — occasion on which The Crime Club chose not to publish two of Charteris’ books, instead deciding to combine them into an American-only omnibus release. The book was later republished by Triangle Books (Sun Dial Press) in 1943 with this title.
I really enjoyed this one, each story pulled me right in, the character is as outwardly insouciant as ever, but always involved in his scheme du jour in such a way as to defeat both the bad guys and the authorities, though in one of the stories, it’s a very near thing indeed. A welcome change from much of the current day gritty mystery novel.
Tip the Wink 
Richard, I have never read any of the Leslie Charteris’ The Saint novels though I have a couple of the paperbacks that I’m going to pull out as soon as I can. I’m not very familiar with Simon Templar’s character.
I binged on SAINT in the 1960s. I need to read more SAINT books (which I have waiting for me on my shelves).
Like George, I haven’t read a Saint book in a long time. But I do have several of them waiting if I ever get around to them.
I must admit that I’ve never been a fan of the Saint, either in books or on television. I did read THE SAINT IN NEW YORK (for obvious reasons) and watched a number of the Roger Moore shows, but…eh. Just not really my taste.
Jeff, I read a little bit of The Saint a decade ago and felt the same way. Then I tried another one, The Saint in Europe, and enjoyed it a lot, and I liked these novelettes even more. You might give this a try.
Prashant, you might enjoy one, you ought to try it.
George, Bill, no time like the present. You may or may not enjoy them, but you’ll never know if you don’t try.
I do like that cover. I read The Saint vs. Scotland Yard recently and I want to find more of the books.
Tracy, old copies can be found, and all of the books are in print by Amazon’s publishing arm, in a nice uniform edition, though not with illustrated covers.
I will go for old copies first, and try newer editions if I cannot locate old ones. I like the old paperbacks.
I’ve got one Saint novel around here but haven’t read it yet. Don’t even know if I can find it at the moment.